Grandfather treks 100 miles for charity close to his heart

A PENSIONER from Doncaster will next month present a cheque for £20,000 to Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, after trekking 100 miles along the Great Wall of China with his young grandchildren.

Three years ago, Jim Beachill, from Conisbrough, compiled a “bucket” list of the things he wanted to do before he “kicks the bucket.”

After walking Hadrian’s Wall and driving 3,500 miles across America, this is the third item from the list.

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To train for the Great Wall of China challenge, 64-year-old Mr Beachill – with his grandchildren Jack, 14, and Elishia, 12 – undertook a number of walks, including trekking from Conisbrough to Doncaster and back the week before they left on the journey.

“Despite this period of cutbacks and austerity, people have been brilliant”, Mr Beachill said.

“We have raised money through soul nights, a sponsored bicycle ride, football clubs and supermarket collections and from sponsorship and donations from individuals, clubs and businesses.

“We have had collection tins at shops in Conisbrough which has raised several hundred pounds. Everyone has been so generous.

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“Elishia’s school in Ecclesfield agreed to let the pupils have a dress down day for the charity’s benefit and almost every one of the 2,000 pupils contributed.”

He added: “We chose to help the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity because my wife had cancer and they were superb. Thankfully she is well and healthy now.

“Thank you alone was not enough.”

He will present the cheque on Tuesday, February 14.